HORRY COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County leaders held a virtual update on coronvirus response on Wednesday.
The update began at 11 a.m. and was be streamed on the county’s government access television channel, the county’s website and the Horry County Government Facebook page.
Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said that the reopening of most county buildings this week has gone well and the county is preparing to open other facilities soon.
Gardener added that this meeting would likely be the county’s last virtual press briefing and that Tuesday night’s Horry Co. Council meeting was council’s last virtual meeting.
Horry County Sheriff Phillip Thompson provided an update on the sheriff’s office’s response to the virus as well as preparations for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
Thompson said family court and circuit court hearings have been held virtually. Appearances are still being held virtually between the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and judges at the county’s justice center. Jury trials are still on hold.
Thompson added that the justice center is open, but asked those who need to come to call ahead to make an appointment and wear a face mask when they come.
The sheriff’s office is preparing for Memorial Day weekend and Thompson said deputies will be assigned to help the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the North Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Thompson also provided an update on the J. Reuben Long Detention Center worker who previously tested positive for COVID-19, saying “he said he’s feeling better, he’s feeling good as matter of fact and we hope he’ll be returning very soon.”
Horry County Police Department Deputy Chief of Operations K. Davis said contingencies are in place to address large crowds over memorial day weekend. He added HCPD has been in contact with the sheriff’s office about bookings, transports, etc.
Davis also said although precincts are open, people are encouraged to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and use online or telephone reporting services for non-emergencies.
“As we would in any situation, it’s the totality of the situation itself- numbers of people, location, whether it’s an inside or outside venue. It’d be hard to answer to just give a number, specific number, because frankly, that wouldn’t be a fair assessment,” Davis said when asked what HCPD would consider a threat to the public and how big a gathering would have to be to be considered a threat. “So, what we look at is the entirety of the situation, the totality as I describe, and our officers have the discretion to act along those guidelines and we will do so.”
Davis was also asked about how police will enforce social distancing on the county’s beaches and capacity limits for restaurants and businesses during Memorial Day weekend.
“Well of course, we are glad that folks have been practicing social distancing for the most part from what we’ve seen. Our officers, especially our beach patrol officers, will continue to urge the social distancing. Of course, it’s not a mandate as it was before the governor’s office, but he urges that and we certainly support that and we move forward in that regard,” Davis said. “With respect to eateries and what not, we would ask the same cooperation from our partners in the hospitality industry along with our visitors to maintain that mindset.”
Davis was also asked if there are extra officers being brought in for the weekend and what areas they’d be patrolling.
“Well as in any high capacity weekend that we have, or high capacity time we have here at the Grand Strand, of course we always address that with specific plans and contingencies. We will have extra officers working this weekend,” Davis said. “I will not be liberty to discuss were those folks will be or how many that we have brought in, but we have increased staffing. We do that to maintain operational security.”
Horry County Fire Rescue Chief Joseph Tanner said the department is starting to see an increase in call volume as reopening continues, but this increase isn’t related to COVID-19 and is typical of the season as more people come to the area. He said starting on May 30, the department will have their “surge units” working and boats on waterways to help with crowds.
Tanner added that of Horry County’s 306 confirmed virus cases, HCFR transported 21. He told people to enjoy the weekend, but to continue practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing and checking on neighbors.
Horry County Department of Airports Director Scott Van Moppes provided the following response when asked about airline traffic coming into Myrtle Beach International Airport for Memorial Day weekend.
“Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier and Sun Country have all begun flying this week. Load ranges are anywhere from 65-95% full,” Moppes said. “These airlines, along with American, Delta and United, have implemented social distancing and safety procedures throughout the flying process and have really done an outstanding job providing a safe and efficient experience.”
When asked when parks, recreation and playground facilities will reopen, Assistant Administrator for Public Safety & Emergency Management Director Randy Webster said “we’re gearing up in anticipation of that happening and we hopefully will have announcements coming up soon as to when those activities may begin and what level they may begin at over the next few weeks, so more to come on that and we’ll make sure everyone is aware of that when it’s ready.”
Webster was also asked if county emergency management has met with the City of Myrtle Beach about a plan for Memorial Day weekend.
“As in every major event that we have, you know, we’re treating this just like a traditional Memorial Day weekend. There’s been a lot of communication that’s gone on between all parties, all entities, and a lot of information going back and forth in law enforcement community as well as coordination with all of our state partners,” Webster said. “So once again, we’re at the ready, our EOC is actually still virtually activated and will continue to be that way through this weekend and we will be able to respond to any needs that arise within the community.”
“We’re all one big community, all one big family and we just want to continue to emphasize that folks please come, enjoy yourselves, have a great time, stay safe, but please obey the laws and please treat each other with respect and they’ll be no problems, it’ll be a great weekend,” Webster added.
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